The World Cup hopefuls were all put through their paces last week with a glut of high profile international friendly matches, while Italy got stuck into the play-offs, hoping to avoid a hat-trick of absences from the global showcase.
Tournament favourites Spain, according to the very latest World Cup 2026 betting odds, will face up against Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and newcomers Cape Verde when they arrive in North America in June, and they flexed their muscles for the visit of Serbia last week, winning 3-0 at Villarreal’s Estadio de la Ceramica.
In my SBOTOP preview of La Liga stars who can light up the international stage, I picked out Real Sociedad talisman Mikel Oyarzabal as a man for the big occasion, and he showed just what he can do against the Serbs, scoring a first half brace to make it 11 goals from his last ten matches in all competitions, while debutant Victor Munoz also got on the score sheet. And there was more good news for La Roja fans as Manchester City star Rodri made his first start in 18 months after recovering from a serious knee injury.
His performances for club and country won Rodri a Ballon D’or and made his the most admired defensive midfielder in the game, and Spain supporters and players will hope he is in the midst of the World Cup 2026 highlights in 11 weeks time.
While Spain’s match with Serbia went pretty smoothly for La Roja, as expected, there was plenty of drama in Brazil when the Selecao met France in a blockbuster clash. Les Bleus ended up with ten men after Dayot Upamecano made a rash challenge early in the second half and, with the help of VAR, the referee waved a red card in his direction. But goals from Kylian Mbappe and Hugo Ekitike were enough to beat Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil who could only halve the deficit through centre back Bremer, while Barcelona star Raphinha went off injured.
Next up Brazil face Croatia and, for a team struggling for consistency, that will be a big test, but the French can be happy with their work so far in the run up to the World Cup, as they make the short trip to face Colombia on Sunday.
Three Lions flop at Wembley
Thomas Tuchel’s England received a decidedly mixed reception during their warm-up against Uruguay, a match the fans at Wembley Stadium expected to win, but ended in a 1-1 draw. Arsenal centre back Ben White was the target of some boos from the crowd when he scored England’s opener, presumably from Tottenham Hotspur fans!
But the crowd turned ugly again when a White foul on Federico Viñas gave away a penalty in stoppage time, which Federico Valverde happily converted.
After the game Harry Maguire, moaned about his club-mate Manuel Ugarte who appeared to have been given two yellow cards, though one was rescinded and the other passed to Jose Maria Gimenez. But England manager gave Maguire cause to consider his own form, saying that he has Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa ahead of the Red Devil in the centre back slots.
Meanwhile, Premier League fans, from just down the East Lancs Road in Liverpool, never the biggest supporters of the national team, watched as one of their summer signings Florian Wirtz, put in a man-of-the-match performance as Germany edged Switzerland out in a seven goal thriller. The 22 year old attacking midfielder struggled in his early days as a Premier League player, following his mega-money transfer from Bayer Leverkusen, but he has gradually improved and showed just what he can do against the Swiss scoring two goals and making two assists.
Dan Ndoye put the hosts ahead on 17 minutes, but within ten the scores were level when Jonathan Tah got on the end of a pinpoint Wirtz cross to head home. Breel Embolo restored Switzerland’s lead but Germany were level at the half time break as this time Serge Gnabry was the beneficiary of a slide rule pass from Wirtz.
Germany went ahead on the hour when Wirtz scored with a beautiful curling shot before Joel Monteiro levelled with a 20 yard bullet; but the Liverpool man won the game when he fired home five minutes from time.
If Wirtz plays like this at the World Cup finals then Germany have a genuine chance to go deep into the competition, maybe even all the way. But of their European rivals, Spain will be the team to beat; France will be there or thereabouts while England have some answers to find.
But there’s still time…
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
